Acts 11:21

Acts 11:21 describes a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion, highlighting the powerful work of God in spreading the Gospel beyond its Jewish origins.

Context

This verse follows the account of believers, scattered by the persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:58-60; Acts 8:1-4). Some of these believers, from Cyprus and Cyrene, arrived in Antioch, a major Roman city and a melting pot of cultures. Unlike previous efforts that focused on Jews only, these individuals began preaching the Lord Jesus to Gentiles (Greeks) in Antioch. This bold step marked a significant shift in the mission of the church, opening the door for widespread Gentile conversion, a theme central to the book of Acts.

Key Themes

• Divine Empowerment: The phrase "And the hand of the Lord was with them" is crucial. It signifies God's active presence, power, and favor enabling their ministry. This divine assistance was the true force behind the success, not merely human eloquence or strategy. It underscores that spiritual fruit comes from God's work, not just human effort. Similar divine backing is seen throughout Scripture, as when the hand of the Lord was with John the Baptist.
• Evangelistic Success and Church Growth: The result of God's hand being with them was profound: "a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." This demonstrates the effectiveness of Spirit-led evangelism. Antioch quickly became a vibrant center for Christian activity and a launching point for future missionary journeys, particularly for Paul and Barnabas.
• Genuine Conversion: The phrase "believed, and turned unto the Lord" encapsulates the two essential components of salvation:
  • Believed: Implies intellectual assent and personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
  • Turned unto the Lord: The Greek word epestrepsan (ἐπέστρεψαν) signifies a decisive turning or repentance, a change of direction from sin and former ways to allegiance to God. It's not just mental acceptance but a transformation of life and loyalty. This turning is a vital aspect of the call to repentance preached by Peter.

Linguistic Insights

The idiom "the hand of the Lord" (Greek: cheir Kyriou) is a common biblical expression, frequently used in the Old Testament, to denote God's active power, guidance, and providential care. Its use here emphasizes that the remarkable growth in Antioch was not a human-orchestrated phenomenon but a divine intervention, a testament to God's sovereign will and ability to work through ordinary people.

Practical Application

Acts 11:21 offers enduring encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

• The power for effective ministry comes from God's presence, not our own abilities. When we engage in sharing our faith, we can trust that God strengthens us.
• Even seemingly small acts of obedience and faithful witness can lead to significant spiritual fruit when God's hand is involved.
• True conversion involves both intellectual belief and a transformative turning from sin to follow Christ. Our evangelism should aim for this holistic change.